FAA Proposes Longer Duration for Medicals

Comments are due June 11 on a proposal from the FAA to increase the duration of first-class and third-class medicals for airmen under the age of 40. Currently, first-class medical certificates are valid for six months, regardless of age. Third-class medical certificates are valid for 36 months for pilots under 40. The FAA proposes to increase the duration of first-class medical certificates from six months to a year, and from three years to five years for third-class medicals for pilots younger than 40. The standards for second-class medicals were not changed, said the FAA, because they already adhere to international standards.